Sunday 20th November- Race start 12.45 – Day 1
So we are finally ready for our transatlantic voyage, 10 people who
have never met each other before (other than Starkers and the Monkmeister (Giles
and Cass) spending up to 18 days together in a 14m x 4.5m space..!!! The
nerves and adrenalin are running at high intensity, boat has been prepped and
inspected, the fruit nets have been stored to prevent scurvy, (it has been known
to happen within 16 days before.!) and the crew planned to be well rested but
unfortunately the craic in the Sailors bar put the brakes on any excess
rest.
The last task of the day was the EH01 team photos and ones with our “rival”
and other Performance Yacht racing boat Quokka, Phillipe`s hair (Quokka’s
skipper) did look fabulously shiny and conditioned using our Surfachem hair
product, ideal for an ocean voyage.!
Final goodbyes were made from crew members loved ones: Amazing Amy from
Diamonds are forever, our Dougies fiance came over to say goodbye and Nicola and
Tom, our Jimbo`s lovely parents were on the left dock waving furiously as we
sailed in a parade past the warship committee boat.
The start itself was a bit surreal, it felt like a normal regatta day start
but I think the enormity of what we were about to undertake did finally hit some
of us and it was a little quiet on board for the first few hours. Andras (Andy)
our skipper had already decided the teams so we have Priceys Pirates with
Pricey. Dougie, Ionut, Starkey and Stormey and we have Jimbos Jollies with the
lovely Jimbo, Paul, Monkmeister and Peder and the competition is already hotting
up. Our first night was great, had the kite up all night and the main dramas
were trying not to shine head torches in other faces and trying not to step on
each others harnesses.!
Over.
EH01 Marketing Director